22 couples tie the knot for Valentines

Twenty-two couples from San Pablo City exchanged vows as husband and wife at the “2018 I Do, I Do, Araw ng Pag-IBIG” mass wedding hosted by Pag-IBIG Fund in collaboration with CARD Mutual Benefit Association, Inc. (MBA) last February 14.

The mass wedding is part of the commitment of the two organizations in ensuring that every family will enjoy the benefits of legal marriage.

The couples are member-clients of Pag-IBIG Fund and CARD Bank, Inc. in San Pablo City, Laguna. CARD Bank member-clients are entitled of a mass wedding benefit through CARD MBA, the microinsurance arm of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI).

Participating couples at the mass wedding were provided with a free reception inclusive of meals, venue, music and entertainment, symbolic gifts, wedding rings, and giveaways.

According to May Dawat, CEO of CARD MBA, hosting a mass wedding is the organization’s way of strengthening the relationship of families who are also CARD’s client-members. “One of the core values we uphold in CARD is family spirit. We want that every family will embody the spirit of togetherness, happiness, and love,” Dawat added.

CARD MBA has been conducting mass weddings since 2006, which benefited more than 1,200 couples nationwide. These couples are member-clients of the four financial institutions of CARD MRI, namely CARD, Inc., CARD Bank, Inc., CARD SME Bank, Inc., and Rizal Bank, Inc.

According to Arnel Sevilla, the branch head of Pag-IBIG Fund in San Pablo City, there are about 2,000 pairs who are getting married this Valentine’s Day under the mass wedding program; and more than 20,000 couples have been married since the inception of the program in 2011.

“We congratulate the newlyweds this Valentine’s! We assure you that Pag-IBIG Fund will always be there to assist your needs,” said CEO Acmad Rizaldy Moti in a video message.

Pag-IBIG Fund Chair Eduardo del Rosario also extended his warm greetings to the couples. “Stay strong in your commitment,” he cheered.

The wedding was officiated by Judge Amy Melba Belullia. At the celebration, couples recalled how they met each other.

“I remember the time when our eyes met while I was doing my laundry at the river and he was riding a carabao. Accidentally, he fell on the ground; and eventually, on me,” jested one of the brides.

The oldest couple who got married are aged 66 years old. A mass wedding every February 14 has been a regular affair for Pag-IBIG Fund in San Pablo City in collaboration with CARD MBA.